Rotary engine.



' H. A. KING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.23,1913.

1,076,891, Patented 0@t.28,1913.

a? 6 @fr HOMER ARTHUR Kl'llGt, OF COLTUN, GALIFORNA.

RQTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented (le-t. t28, 1191.3.

Application filed January N13. Serial No 743,856.

To all "m71 om 'it may (1J/noem lle it known that l, ,llotinn irri-nin KING, a citizen ot' the United States, residing' at Colton, in the county of San Bernardino and Slate ot California, have invented a new and useful Rotary Engine, ot which the l'ollowing is a speeitiration.

'lhis invention relates to the art of en gines, and more espeeiallj, to the rotary type, preferably using* steam as the motive power.

itin object ot' the invention is to provide a nniltiple cylinder engine, more particularly tor usc upon seafgoina .iessels, and oonstructed in such wise as to propel one or more propellers in opposite directions. Owing to the propellers moving in opposite directions, thereby acting' against olniosing currents, considerable power is produced.

A further object ot the invention is to improve and sin'iplify the structures dis closed in the Letters Patents, dated November 1011, Serial No. 1,010,378; and lleeember 10, 1912, Serial No. 1,010,607'.

ln practical fields it ma),7 be t-onnd necessary and desirable to subject the minor details ot construction or" the present engine to alterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterations tall within the scope ot what is claimed.

The invention cfnnprises tnrther features and oonibiination ot parte, as hereinarl'ter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

ln the drawings: lfigure l is a. longitudinal sectional view through the improved multiple cylinder engine, Showin, the saine adapted `tor propelling' two or more propellers in opposite direetions. llip. il is an enlarged sectional view on line ot' Fig. 1. Fig. is an enlarged sectional view on line 23--C-l ot Fig'. 1. Fig. --lis an enlarged cross sectional view on line el il ot Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one oit the ahntlnents, showing` the retention ringijs in the packing rings. Fig'. (l is a sectional view on line 0 0 ot Fig. 5. Fig. l is a detail view olz one ot' the disk valves.

Referring` more particnlarlv to the drafwings, 1. designates the easing ol a multiple cylinder engine, .vhioh is provided with a plnralit)v7 of steam chambers l, while lC denotes a plurality ot' rotors, each liavinggI pistons 15, upon. opposite sides, adapted to move in the steam chamber 1". The rotors are provided with exhaust ports 1Q., through act upon the pistons 15.

which the utilized steam exhausts, in order to aid the nsnal exhaust ports 13.

rllhis improved engine is provided with two propelling shal'ts. a hollow shaft i2, and a solid sllal't i2. which telescopes through, the hollow sha'tt 2, there being a propeller 33 movable with the shaft 2, and a similar propeller 2li? movable with the shaft The rotors oit two ot' the o vlinders rotate with the hollow shatt 2, as at Qt. while the rotors ot the other two cylinders rotate with the solid shat't Q. The ports 1:2 oit two ot' the rotors merge into the passages l2, while the ports 12 ot the other two rotors merge into the passages 12". (ilonstrncted between the cylinders are steam chests T. into which steam is admitted b v wav ot? the inlet pipe il. The steam trom the chests is admitted to the steam rhambers ll by way ot the ports 1 0. The ports l0 of every other cylinder are arranged at right angles. Arranged in the steam chests are disk valves 37. there beinga. pair in eaoh chest, one 4pair movable with the solid shatt at 37, while the other pair is keyed at 37b to the hollow shatt. ltl is to he remembered that there are tour rotors. two traveling in one direction and acting to rotate the solid shatt, while the other two rotate in the opposite direction, and aet to rotate the hollow shaft; and as said shafts rotate the openings 10" ot the disk valves 37 register with the ports l0 at intervals, thereinT admitting' steam 'from the steam ehests into the steam chamber ll so as to Siirronnding the hollow shaft and the solid shat't are eoil springs l0h interposed between the disk valves 3T to hold them oloselv in Contact with the set plate valves 'llie steam in the steam ehests also aot to hold the dislc valves closelvT in mintact with the set plate valves 8, which are in turn held in close contact with the Cylinder Casinos by the steam. The set plate valves are provided with segmental slots tl, which register with the ports 10, which registration, together with. the registration ol the openings 10 with the slot ports S" allows stean'x jtroin tlnI chests to enter the steam chambers l", bv wav ot the ports 10. Stop lugs QS ln'oject trom the evlinder casings thrmigh the Segmental slots 8, in order to limit the setplate valves in one direction or the other. These set plate valvesl do not rotate with the shafts, hat are adjustable independent of the Shaft and relative to the disk valves especially their ports 10, by virtue of the and the levers 30, the teeth of which gears mesh with the teeth of the set plate valves By virtue the levers and the gears the set plate valves in their positions may be regulated for a variable portion of the travel of each 1;iston, by direct pressure of steam, that is, as each piston travels from each steam inlet, while steam expansion moves each piston toward each steam exhausts 18 for the remaining variable portion of the pistonls travel.

Fach cylinder is provided with two offset casings 2T arranged opposite one another. Each pair of oi'i'set casings 2? of one cylinder is arranged at right angles to the offset casings of the adjacent cylinder. ivlounted to rock in the offset casings 27a are members 18 having arms 19 movable therewith. lrojecting radially from the members 18 are arms 18a, to which segmental arms 182' connected. These offset cas- 27a not only include the segmental passages 27h, in which the abutments 1G are movable, bat also include the exhaust. ports 18, which are concentric with the passages 27. The exhaust ports 18 are utilized for -the exhaust of the greater part of the utilized steam, while the exhaust ports 12 are auxiliary, and are designed to aid in carrying olf the remainder of the utilized steam. The segmental passages '27h merge into the steam chamber, so that the abutinents will drop or fall in the rear of the pistons immediately and instantly after the pistons pass. he abutments 16 comprise the disks 16h and 16k, the disks 16h are pivoted looselv to the segmental arms 18h, as at 16m, while the disks 16k are provided with openings 16, through which the segmental arms 18b entend. `l`\:tending around tie periphery of the disks 18h and 163k are enpansion rings 161. lu other words, these packing rings 151 are split as shown at 16g, so as to expand against the retention rings 16S, which lessens the force of the expansion packing rings 161 in contacting with the walls of the segmental passages 27D. ln different words, the retention rings 16S prevent too much eXpansion of the split expansion packing rings 1(31, so that they may freely pass from the passages 27h into the cylinder. interposed between the expansion packing rings 161 are similar rings, which are also adapted to eX- pand, and are provided with grooves in which retention rings 16s are arranged. Extending transversely of the arms 18'U and fixed in place in any suitable manner (not shown) are leaf springs 18h, the ends of which bear against the disks 16k, so as to hold the expansion rings in place. It will be noted by referring to Fig. 5 that the openings 16n of the disks 16k are of such contour as to permitthe disks 16k to rock, which together with the pivotal connection 16m between the arm 18" to the disk 1G11, will permit the abutme t 1G, as it moves in its passage-way to conform to the contour, especially Where the passage-way merges into the steam chamber.

The pistons 15 are designed to include expansion packing rings similar packing rings 161 of the abutments havin grooves in which retention rings similar to the retention rings 15S are arranged, but are not particularly shown. The rings (which are similar to the rings 16S) of the pistons prevent too much expansion of the split packing rings (which are similar to the split expansion packing rings 16g) of the pistons, so that they may freely pass the enlarged portions of the cylinder. Furthermore, by such expansion packing rings and the retention rings steam tight joints between the abutments and the )tissage-ways 27h and between the pistons and the walls of the steam chamber are provided. At the point where the segmental arms 181 pass through the walls Q7 of the offset casiugs 27a, paoliing 27 is arranged.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings there is a head member keyed to one of the shafts, say for instance, the solid shaft, so as to revolve therewith. Each arm of this revolving head member is provided with an anti-frictional member 23 to engage the segmental or curved portion of each lever 25, which is pivoted at 25a to the cylinder casings. T he curved extension 251) of each lever is provided with a link connection 20 with one of the arms 19 of each member 18, while the other arm 19 of each member 18 has a link connection 19ri to it. Each link 19a is in turn pivoted to a. short curved lever 2G, also pivotally mounted at 25a. The levers 25 and 26 have link connections 21, so that as one of the anti-frictional members or wheels Q3 oscillates one of the levers 25, one of the short levers 26 is oscillated in unison, and vice versa. As the head member revolves, the levers Q5 and 26 are in ture actuated, in order to rock the members 18. `When the members 18 are rocked, the abutnents are moved through the passages 27h, and into and from the path of the traveling pistons 15. The object in providing the form of abutments as shown in Fig. 5, is to permit them to accommodate themselves to the passage-ways 271 and the curvature of the steam chambers.

ln the operation of this improved multiple cylinder engine` steam from the steam chestenters the steam chamber 1h, bv way of the ports 10. thereby actingl upon the pistons. It will he seen that the pistons. the

rotors. and either the solid or hollow shaft rotate as one body. and being that the head member 22 movable with each shaft` the abutments are withdrawn from the path of the pistons, upon their approach upon the abutments, through the medium of the lever 1 ,erfdeel and link connections between the head inember 2Q, and the rocking members 1.8. As

the pistons pass the abutnients, they are again lowered within the steam chalnbers. The utilized steam exhaust through the ports 13, but the exhaust of this steam is aided, considerably, owing to the provision of the ports 1Q and 12C, through the rotors and the shaft.

The outer walls of the steam chambers, at the point where the pistons closehv approach the abutment .in their` travel, are ollset or spaced apart from the pistons, as at il, so as to lessen the friction, thereby allow the pistons to move more freely, as there is hardly any steam pressure at this point. 'lhe springs l()l1 are lutilized more esivnecially.A when no steam pressure exists. Between the rotors and the cylinder casings inclined packing .rings ll are provided, which packing rings l-lLl are also designed to have retention rings (similar to the retention rings los) but not particularly shown, so as to preventtoo much expansion of the rings 1451.

From the foregoing it is to be noted that there has been devised a simple and efficientinultiple cylinder engine, more especially adapted for operating propellers in opposite directions, so as to act against opposing currents, in order to drive sea-going vessels at conside 'able speed, and one which has been found practical.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is l. ln a rotary engine having a rotor provided with substantially opi'iositely arranged pistons, a casing inelosing said rotor and having an annular steam chamber in which the pistons operate, said casing having offset easings, rocking members mounted in said offset casings and provided with radially extending arms terminating 'in segmental curved arms concentric with. said rocking members, the offset casings having segmental passage-ways merging` into the steam chamber, piston-like abutments morable in the segmental passage-ways and comprising spaced apart disks, one disk of each abutment being pivoted to each segmental curved arm, said disks havingI shoulders, split expansion ijiacking rings surroui'iding said disks and in Contact with said shoulders and provided with channel-ways, extension rings in said channel-ways, a series of annular split expansion packing rings interposed between the expansion rings of said disks and provided with retention rings to limit the expansion of the split rings, means bearing against one disk of each abutment for pressing said disk toward the pivoted disk to hold the intermediate expansion rings in place. said abutments adapted to follow in the rear of said pistons and partially into the steam chamber. and means for operating said rocking members.

2. in a rotary engine, a cylinder casing provided with an annular steam cylinder having enlarged portions, a rotor movable in the steam cylinder and having pistons prr'ivided with channeled split piston packingl rings, expanalen-limiting channeled rings therefor, which together with the enlarged portions of the annular steam cylinder renders the easy passage of the pistons during the movements of the'abutments, a shaft for the rotor, said casing including oiiset casings having segmental curved passages merging into the steam cylinder, ab'utments movable in. the passages, said abutments comprising spaced apart disks, one disk of each abutmentbeing pivotcd to each segmental curved arm, said disks having shoulders, split expansion packing rings surrounding said disks and in contact with said shoulders and provided with channelways, rings in said channel-ways, a series of annlllar split expansion packing rings interposed between the expansion packing rings of said disks and provided with rings to limit the expansion of the split rings, means l'iearing against one disk of each abutment for pressing said disk toward the piroted disk to hold the intcrnn-aliate expansion rings in place, and connections between the shaft and said abntments to cause said abutments to follow at intervals in the rear of said piston as they pass.

3. In a multiple cylinder rotary engine, a plurality of casing-s having a solid shaft and a hollow shaft extending therethrough, said solid shaft having a portion of its length received by the hollow shaft, said casings having steam chambers, rotors mounted upon the shafts and provided with pistons movable in the chambers, steam chests interposed between the casings, ports of coimnnnication between the ches s and steam chambers, set plate valves, two mounted upon the hollow shaft and two upon the solid shaft to control the steam through said ports, disk valves acting in conjunction with set plate valves to facilitate controlling of said steam, two of the disk valves mounted upon the hollow shaft, and two upon the solid shaft, coil springs, one surrounding the hollow shaft and the other sin'rounding the solid shaft, to hold the disk valve sepa rated and in contact with the plate valve, means for manually adjusting' the plate valves relative to the disk valves, said casings having offset casings provided with curved passage-ways, abutments operable in the curved passage-ways, and c-:mnections between said shaft and said abutnient, and exhaust ports in the offset easings.

a. in a multiple cylinder rotary engine, a plurality of casings having a solid shaft and a hollow shaft extiuiding therethrough, said solid shaft having a portion of its length received by the hollow shaft, said casing' having' steam chambers, rotors mounted upon the shafts and provided with pistons movable in the chambers, steam chests interposed between the casings, ports of communication between the Chests and steam Chainbers, set plate valves, two mounted upon the hollow shaft and two upon the solid shaft to control the steam through said ports, disk 'valves acting in conjunction with set plate valves to facilitate controlling of said steam, two of the disk valves mounted upon the hollow shaft, and two upon the solid shaft, Coil springs, one surrounding the hollow shaft and the other surrounding the solid shaft, to hold the disk valve separated and in contact with the plate valve, means for manuallvv adjusting the plate valves relative to the disk valves, said easings having oiiset casings provided with curved passage-ways, abutments operable in the curved passageways, said abutments comprising spaced apart disks, one disk of each abutment being pivoted to each segmental curved arm, said disks having shoulders, split expansion packing rings surrounding said disks and in contaet with said shoulders and provided with channel-ways, rings to limit the expansion of split rings in said channel-ways, aseries of annular split expansion packing rings interposed between the expansion rings oi' said disks and provided with rings to limit the expansion of the split rings, means bearing against one disk of each abutment for pressing said disk toward the pivoted disk to hold the intermediate expansion rings in place, and connections between said shafts and said abutments to cause the abutments to follow at intervals in the rear of the pistons.

5. ln a rotary engine, a casing provided with a steam chamber. a rotor having` sectional pistons movable in the steam chamber, a shaft for the rotor, said casing having oset casings provided with segmental passageways merging into the steam Chamber, sectional abutments movable in the passageways to accommodate themselves to the oontour of said passage-ways, said sectional abutments and sectional pistons having eX- pansion packing rings provided with rings to limit the expansion of the split rings, and connections between said shaft and said abutments.

In testimony wliereotl I have signed my name to this speeilication in the presence of two subscribing' witnesses.

HOMER ARTHUR KING.

1Witnesses ALVIN P. HUNTER, Jamas J. LOWER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C." 

